Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 55, Shloka 29
चित्रकूटमार्गोपदेशः
Instructions for the Chitrakuta Route and the Yamuna Crossing
गच्छतोऽस्तु तयोर्मध्ये बभूव जनकात्मजा।मातङ्गयोर्मध्यगता शुभा नागवधूरिव।।।।
gacchato 'stu tayor madhye babhūva janakātmajā | mātaṅgayor madhyagatā śubhā nāgavadhūr iva ||
അവർ നടന്നു പോകുമ്പോൾ ജനകാത്മജ അവരിരുവരുടെയും മദ്ധ്യേ നടന്നു—ശുഭലക്ഷണയായി, രണ്ടു ഗജരാജന്മാരുടെ ഇടയിൽ നീങ്ങുന്ന ഗജവധുവിനെപ്പോലെ.
The daughter of Janaka walked between them like a she-elephant between two males.
FAQs
Dharma expressed as protective propriety (maryādā): Sītā’s placement between the brothers symbolizes safeguarding her honor and safety during travel.
The narrative describes their walking formation in the forest: Sītā proceeds between Rama and Lakṣmaṇa.
The brothers’ protective vigilance and Sītā’s auspicious dignity amid hardship.